CHAP. VIII
The Third Proposition laid down, concerning the
time and place of the Millennium. Several
Arguments us'd to prove that it cannot be
till after the Conflagration: and that the
New Heavens and the New Earth are the
true Seat of the blessed Millennium.
WE come now to the Third and last head of
our Discourse: To determine the Time and
Place of the Millennium. And seeing it is indifferent
whether the proofs lead or follow the Conclusion,
we will lay down the Conclusion in the first place,
that our business may be more in view; and back it
with proofs in the following part of the Chapter. Our
Third and last Proposition therefore is this,
That the
Blessed Millennium, (properly so called)
according as it
is describ'd in Scripture, cannot obtain in the present Earth,
nor under the present constitution of Nature and Providence; but is to be celebrated in the New Heavens and
New Earth, after the Conflagration. This Proposition, it
may be, will seem a Paradox or singularity to many,
even of those that believe a
Millennium; We will
therefore make it the business of this Chapter, to state
it, and prove it; by such Arguments as are manifestly founded in Scripture and in Reason.
And to prevent mistakes, we must premise this in
the first place; That, tho' the Blessed Millennium will
not be in this Earth, yet we allow that the state of
the Church here, will grow much better than it is
at present. There will be a full Resurrection of the
Witnesses, and an Ascension into power, and the tenth
part of the City will fall; which thing, imply ease
from Persecution, The Conversion of some part of the
Christian World to the reformed Faith, and a considerable diminution of the power of Antichrist. But
